1. Birmingham, Alabama 1963
Describe the events that shocked the world in Birmingham in 1963
Explain why the events in Birmingham were useful to the civil rights movement

2. Problems for the civil rights movement by 1962
By 1962 it seemed that the civil rights demonstrations had made very limited progress
Martin Luther King and other leaders never knew if they were going to be successful
A large demonstration in Albany with MLK and the SCLC did not achieve any real changes
Many protesters were disheartened
OTHER problems:
The demonstrations required large numbers of people prepared break the law and risk going to prison – they might risk losing their jobs and families would suffer
King’s reputation had weakened

3. The answer? GRAB THE HEADLINES! BE SUCCESSFUL!
Choose the most segregated city in the USA!
Choose the one with the worst record of police brutality towards black people in the USA!
Choose the city where the KKK was one of the most violent in the USA and has the full support of the police force!
Choose the city where the most bombs are used against black people!
Choose the city with a violent, racist police chief!
Choose a city in a state with a governor totally opposed to the civil rights movement!

4. Choose Birmingham, Alabama!

5. Birmingham, Alabama Known as ‘Bombingham’
NOT to be confused with Birmingham in England!
The police Chief was Eugene ‘Bull’Connor
The Alabama state governor was George Wallace

6. Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever!
Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor
George Wallace

7. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
The two main leaders of the demonstration Objectives: to desegregate public facilities and department stores Put in prison for planning to break an order not to march
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr
Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
I guess it is easy for those who have never felt segregation to say wait.

8. Project C When MLK and Shuttlesworth were released from prison
New campaign plan: Project C (C= confrontation)
Hoped to provoke Connor to extreme action – leading to shocking images
At first demonstrations, sit-ins etc. achieved little
Next they adopted a high risk strategy: using children
Again – realised the importance of images – television and print media
Hoped to cause a swing in public opinion
This would force the US government to take action

9. 2nd – 3rd May, 1963
Over 1000 school children marched through Birmingham
Connor was determined not to give in
He ordered the arrest of all of them
Over 900 were put in jail – age from 6 – 18
The next day water cannons and dogs were used on the marchers
Americans watched on TV with disbelief – used tear gas and even cattle prods too.

10. Impact of Project C The world was shocked BUT
The SCLC and MLK wanted to stop the marches – good publicity but terrible cost
Local businessmen knew their businesses would be damaged by the bad publicity
Even local black people were unhappy – they would have to live with the consequences
There was a deal made to desegregate water fountains, lunch counters, toilets and changing rooms
The local KKK were furious
Riots and firebombs – many injured
Was non-violent peaceful protest the best policy?

11. Involvement of President Kennedy
He was forced to take action to avoid the violence spreading
Appeared on television and promised to take action on racism
He ordered an end to segregation in Birmingham.
13th May – 3,000 federal troops arrived to restore order.
Carry out activity 1 on page 73

12. Was Project C effective?
Use the information on page 72 to make a diagram to show its effectiveness (and limitations)

13. Choose one of the two questions on page 74 of the textbook to answer
National 5: - 8 mark essay
To what extent did the civil rights protests of the 1950s and 60s make a real improvement to the lives of black Americans? (8 marks) (you need balance – ie show the successes AND the failures)
National 4
How successful were the civil rights protest between 1955 and 1962? – information poster